Flax seed

Flax Seed Oil - Frequently Asked Questions

What is Flax?
Flax is the common name for a herb of the Linaceae Family. Flax used to be one of the major sources of cloth fibre (Linen) until the cotton industry took over. The oil is extracted from organically grown flax seeds using a special cold-pressing process which minimizes the damaging effects of light, oxygen and heat.

What is Flax Seed Oil?
Seeds from the Flax plant, native to Eurasia, are crushed to make Flax Seed Oil, often named Linseed Oil.

What are the Benefits of Supplementing with Flax Seed Oil?

Flax Seed Oil shortens recovery time for fatigued muscles after exertion.
Flax Seed Oil increases the body’s production of energy and also increases stamina.
Flax Seed Oil accelerates the healing of sprains.
It eases weight loss in people afflicted with obesity.
It stimulates brown fat cells and increases the metabolic rate making it easier to burn off fat.
Flax Seed Oil improves the absorption of Calcium.
There is evidence to support that may improve the function of the anabolic hormone, insulin.
It is able to accelerate the healing of bruises.
Flax Seed Oil strengthens finger and toe nails.
It can improve eyesight and perception of colours.
It can often improve the function of the liver.
It can relieve the side effects and stop development of many forms of cancer.
Flax Seed Oil can relieve some cases of Asthma.
In some cases it may relieve Alopecia Areata with hair regrowth (After 1 Year of use).
It is helpful in the treatment of Eczema or flaky skin.
It is helpful in the treatment of Dandruff and also dull hair.
It can relieve the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. It can relieve the symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus.
It can alleviate some allergies.
It helps prevent Atherosclerosis
Flax Seed Oil lowers high blood pressure in Hypertension sufferers.
Flax Seed Oil has been scientifically proven to treat some cases of depression.
It can improve the mental function of many old age pensioners.
It can help in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.
It has been proven to improve the behavior of Schizophrenics.
It can relieve some cases of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) in females.
The dietary essential fatty acids common to Flax Seed Oil are converted by the body to Prostaglandin's (a hormone like substance) which are important for regulating the following:

Steroid Production & hormone synthesis.
Pressure in joints, blood vessels and the eye.
Blood Clotting Ability.
Water retention.
Inflammation Pain.
Nerve Transmission.
Why Should I Consider Supplementing With Flax Seed Oil?
Our bodies are unable to produce the essential fatty acids (EFA’s) contained in Flax Seed Oil. In order to gain these we must consume this natural substance through dietary or supplement consumption. Surveys prove that around 80% of the population is deficient in EFA’s. Commercial refinement of foods containing fats and oils has almost eliminated EFA from our food chain. Flax seed oil is unique as it contains both essential fatty acids, alpha-linolenic (an Omega-3 fatty acid) and linoleic acid (an Omega-6 Fatty acid) in generous amounts. Flax seed oil is one of the richest sources of Omega-3 EFA’s. It has 57% more Omega-3 fatty acids than fish oils.) EFA's are needed for the body to make "Prostaglandin's" which are hormone like substances. There are two EFA's that we need: Linoleic acid (Omega 6) and Linolenic Acid (Omega 3). A lack of these two fatty acids can cause a decrease in Testosterone levels. It is a valuable addition to the daily diet of both normal people and bodybuilders.

Do Other Supplements Have an Effect on Flax Seed Oil?
People who are deficient in Vitamins A, C, E, B2, B6, Pantothenic Acid, B12, biotin and minerals Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, and Zinc may have difficulty converting the Omega 6 fatty acid into the healthful prostaglandin's. Any good multivitamin supplement will ensure a good supply of these. Scientific research has proven that a combination of Flax Seed Oil with Borage Seed Oil to be an excellent combination offering a true "Omega Twin". The best Omega-3 fatty acids come from the Flax seed oil and the best Omega-6 fatty acids are provided by the Borage Seed Oil. Excessive alcohol intake can damage the enzymes needed to utilise the EFA in Flax Seed Oil.

But if I Eat Fat, Surely I Will Become Fat?
No, it is not a question of fat, It is a question of the right fat. Flax Seed Oil is one of the healthiest sources of fat. It is understandable that some are reluctant to increase their fat intake for fear that they will get fat but no-one has ever gotten fat from consuming Flax Seed Oil in any quantity. Cutting out fats is good from a cardiovascular viewpoint but it reduces Testosterone levels. To ensure that Testosterone levels remain at an acceptable level, Flax Seed Oil and EFA’s seem to be the healthiest fats to consume. Every diet needs a percentage of Fat. Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids are anti-lipogenic (which means they block fat storage) and increase beta oxidation (fat burning).

So What Types of Fat Does Flax Seed Oil contain? 1 gram of Flax Seed Oil contains the following:

Superunsaturated Fatty acids: Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) – 550mg
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Linoleic Fatty Acid – 170mg
Saturated Fatty Acids: Palmitic Acid 60mg, Stearic Acid 40mg
Monosaturated Fatty Acids: Oleic Acid 180mg
Note: This may vary depending upon the brand that you buy.

Where Can I Get Flax Seed Oil?
Most Health and Nutrition Stores sell Flax Seed Oil in either liquid oil (bottles and containers) or 1000mg capsules.

Note: Flax Seed Oil in liquid form is very sensitive and is degraded by light, heat and air. Manufacturers often recommend that the Flax Seed Oil be kept inside it's original box, inside the fridge. In liquid form Flax Seed Oil can be consumed straight from the bottle, over a salad or in a shake. Capsules offer protection against oxidisation and contamination but quite a quantity have to be consumed at a time. Capsules are also more expensive than their liquid counterpart.

Note: Linseed Oil (Alternative name Flax Seed Oil) can also be found in DIY shops. This is the same product as Flax Seed Oil and is used as a varnish but it is NOT REFINED TO FOOD GRADE. Do not drink this varnish!

So How Much Flax Seed Oil Should I Supplement?
In order to prevent a deficiency of Essential Fatty Acids 1-2 teaspoons of Flax Seed Oil should be taken. For Mass and Bodybuilding there is increasing evidence that low fat diets relate to low levels of Testosterone. It is suggested that 1-3 Tablespoons is the optimal range for bodybuilding.

Note: 1 Tablespoon is equivalent to about 10-12 1000mg Capsules

Bump flax oil should be in everyones diet.

Here is the article> (taken from Duke)

DURHAM, N.C.--A low-fat diet supplemented with flaxseed may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer, researchers from Duke University Medical Center report in the July issue of Urology.

The researchers said dietary fat and fiber can affect hormone levels and may influence cancer progression. Flaxseed is high in fiber and is the richest source of plant-based, omega-3 fatty acids. Studies suggest that dietary fiber reduces cancer risk, and omega-3 fatty acids also have shown a protective benefit against cancer. Flaxseed is also a rich source of lignan, a specific family of fiber-related compounds that appear to play a key role in influencing both estrogen and androgen metabolism.

"We thought flaxseed would be the perfect food for prostate cancer patients," said lead author Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, associate research professor in the department of surgery at Duke. "It's full of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and lignan. Testosterone may be important in the progression of prostate cancer, and lignan in the flaxseed binds testosterone, so we thought the flaxseed might suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells. By pairing a low-fat diet with the flaxseed supplement, we also thought we could maximize the effect of the omega-3 fatty acids, since studies in animals show that the kind of fat we eat may be important for cancer progression."

The pilot study involved 25 patients with prostate cancer who were awaiting prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate). Baseline levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), testosterone, free androgen index and total serum cholesterol were determined at the beginning of the study. The tumors of those on the diet were then matched with 25 historic cases, equal in age, race, PSA level at diagnosis and biopsy Gleason sum (a scoring system used to grade prostate tumors) to compare tumor progression and biomarkers after the dietary intervention.

The men were on the low-fat, flaxseed-supplemented diet for an average of 34 days. Finely ground flaxseed was used in the study because, in its natural form, flaxseed is a pointy, tough seed that can puncture the intestines when consumed in the amounts used in this study (three rounded tablespoons a day). The ground flaxseed in the study was vacuum-packed (ground flaxseed can quickly go rancid) and had added emulsifiers for ease of mixing. The men were instructed to sprinkle the flaxseed on their cereal or mix it into juices, yogurt or applesauce. Researchers reported good compliance with the diet and said it was tolerated well.

At the end of the study, the researchers observed that the men on the diet had significant decreases in cholesterol, and both total and free testosterone. . While there was a decrease in testosterone levels, they noted that none of the participants in the study suffered decreased libido or sexual dysfunction. There was a trend toward a decrease in PSA levels in men with early-stage prostate cancer (Gleason sums of six or less), but in men with advanced prostate cancer (Gleason sums of more than six) PSA levels continued to rise.

"It's not surprising that a diet therapy that was only taken for an average of 34 days had little effect on men with aggressive disease," Demark-Wahnefried said. "But what we did see was that for the men on the diet, their tumor cells did not divide as quickly and there was a greater rate of apoptosis (tumor cell death) in this group."

With such a short-term dietary intervention, the researchers said they did not expect to see a difference in tumor biology between the diet-treated patients and the control patients, but were encouraged by the lower proliferation rates and significantly higher rates of apoptotic cell death. However, they said the results should be interpreted with caution, stressing that randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm the results of the pilot study. Research on mice models is currently under way, and preliminary results support the findings in humans.

Demark-Wahnefried said it is still unknown if the low fat diet or the flaxseed--or a combination of the two--is the active component in the tumor reductions, adding more studies examining these elements independently are needed.

Nice one NightOp

Thanks bexsome and nightop, this is great info. I've been seeing guys post flaxseed oil as part of their diet for a while and have always wondered.. now i know.

Bexsome... I need more jokes:cry:

how much do you fellas take?

bump, good articles. How about getting a VET or a Mod to come into this tread and talk to us?

how do u guys take it i have had some old time body builders make me put it in a gallon of water and just drink the water throughout the day

I mixed it in a shake with eggs bananas and protein. 2 tablespoons. It tastes like shit though. So I would buy the capsules now.

bump.

I've been using 1-3 tablespoons of the oil in with my postworout shake. Really, you can't even tast it.

oh, and about that comment on soy protein and estrogen..

http://www.sover.net/~timw/soyvswhy.htm

Isn't Flax Seed Oil and EFA’s the same thing except that EFA has some of the seed left in them for fiber content?

I mix it into a shake and I can barely taste it. Great product that everyone can benefit from.

bump

bump .
good post bex and night op .I wonder which of the articles are right as well about the test .

The stuff seems to be awesome for you all around . i was taking cpsules but too expensive i will take the oil now .thanks guy's

BUMP! Very informative!

bex great post! BUMP BUMP BUMP

bump, how expensive is it? Are all the brands the same? What do you all recommend?

I bought my stuff from a local supplement store. Its called Barlean's Flax Oil and can usually be found in the refridgerated section. For a 16 fl oz bottle I paid $14. A bargain as far I'm concerned. Anyone know about the Borage Seed oil?? After reading the earlier post I think I need to get some.

I take both the 1000 liquid caps and the flax oil cold compressed. I mix the oil with a tablespoon of mct oil and put it all in a 'rocks' glass, put some juice in it and basically do a big shot, once in the mornin and once in the evening. Also take cla and ala caps to boot. Might possibly switch to this r-ala product soon. BIG-G

Wal Mart has Flax Seed Oil for about $7 a bottle. That's around 1/2 the price you will pay at GNC. I mix mine with a small amount of cranberry juice and shoot it.

Excellent stuff flax seed oil is highly overlooked, probally because the average idiot thinks because it's a fatty oil you will get fat.

My fave brand is udo's oil. For some reason I just feel like a superstar when i'm on it. I never took into corilation but I have mild depression but it does seam that once I started my lats cutting cycle and added udo's(flax and other oils blended, i use udo's perfect blend) in for life now I dont' ever feel generaly depressed. I'm sure it has to do with loosing 30 lbs in 14 week thoguh too! lol

bump to flax seed oil... It might taste like shit but every one should use it...

hey i have a question.. is there any diffrence between flax oil and grinded flax seeds that i put in my oatmeal/PWO shake? or is it the same thing ? the seeds dont really taste that bad and its like 4$ for a LB at GNC..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 100571

Wal Mart has Flax Seed Oil for about $7 a bottle. That's around 1/2 the price you will pay at GNC. I mix mine with a small amount of cranberry juice and shoot it.

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gotta love fruit juice...there's a jug of oj in my fridge for this reason....1 tbsp flax then chase with oj..can't even taste it!